Technical assistance to education institutions assists them in complying with federal civil rights requirements, while assistance to parents, students and others informs them of their rights under the law. Both components are critical to OCR’s success in meeting its mission. OCR provides information and other support services through a variety of methods, including on-site consultations, conferences, training, community meetings, and publication and dissemination of materials—including extensive materials publicly posted on the Internet—to interested parties, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, schools, colleges, universities and community groups. Appendix C lists a sample of the technical assistance publications available on OCR’s Web site, www.ed.gov/ocr.

In FY 2006, OCR provided nearly 170 technical assistance presentations at over 130 events. Entities hosting these presentations included state departments of education, colleges and universities, school districts and associations. OCR participated in national and regional conferences. OCR also participated in small classes for college students preparing to become teachers. Audiences for OCR presentations included school administrators, educators, parents, students, guidance counselors, psychologists, therapists, school attorneys, Section 504 and ADA coordinators, Title IX coordinators and English as a Second Language teachers.

Recently, three members of your staff came down to do a Title IX day-long seminar for personnel in my nine school districts. Throughout the process of scheduling, preparing for, and hosting the day ... I cannot begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to work with your staff. They were very professional ... flexible to meet our unique needs of a diverse group of attendees ... and a joy to work with. If we ever have a need in our region again, I (and anyone else in my consortium) will not hesitate to pick up the phone and call your office.

E-mail from an executive director of a consortium

Disability is by far the most requested subject matter for technical assistance. In FY 2006, OCR provided over 110 presentations that focused entirely or partially on disability issues. The most commonly presented disability presentation concerned students with disabilities transitioning from the high school setting to the postsecondary setting. The second most popular presentation explained the requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for public elementary and secondary schools. OCR also provided technical assistance presentations on its policy regarding students with limited English proficiency (LEP), Title IX, Title IX athletics, sexual harassment and racial harassment, as well as an overview of all the laws enforced by OCR.